Question

A RT is called to the newborn nursery to assess a term infant born by C-section. The following data are available: HR 125 b/m, RR 75 br/min, SPO2 88%. Which of the following conditions should the RT anticipate?

a) Respiratory distress syndrome
b) Transient tachypnea of the newborn
c) Meconium aspiration syndrome
d) Congenital heart disease

Answer 1

The symptoms described indicate Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN), a condition where full-term infants born by C-section retain fluid in their lungs. This usually resolves on its own within a few days as the excess fluid is absorbed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described in the question are consistent with Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN).

TTN is a condition that affects full-term infants born by C-section. It occurs when there is still fluid in the lungs that the baby did not have a chance to clear out during the birth process.

As a result, the baby may have rapid breathing (tachypnea), an elevated heart rate (tachycardia), and lower than normal blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), as indicated by the low SPO2 reading of 88%. TTN usually resolves on its own within a few days as the baby's lungs naturally absorb the excess fluid.